The Best of Vegas (for families)

Friday

Jun 29, 2007 at 12:01 AMJul 17, 2007 at 10:58 PM

Looking for family fun in Vegas? A few shows you can see together - without your child squirming or falling asleep or your teen-ager tuning out? As a bonus, wouldn't it be nice for it to be a show that interests adults, too? Lots of theater in Sin City is geared for adult audiences, but inappropriate for children. Sometimes, it's not even inappropriate in subject - but just too long, or boring, for kids. Meanwhile, nothing a parent can do will satisfy a teen-ager of a certain age, but there may actually be a show or two in Vegas that your teen-ager might appreciate. (Not that you should expect him to admit it afterwards.) So here's a recommended "top three" list of Vegas shows for families, based on my most recent trip (and my 2005 trip):

* THE BEST FAMILY SHOWS 1. Cirque du Soleil's Love (at the Mirage) - Cirque's latest marvel of sight, sound, movement and mirth is the best possible way for aging baby boomers to introduce their children to the Beatles. The music is Fab-Four fabulous - the most vivid element of the show - and the combination of music and Beatles-era imagery evoke a more optimistic time when people actually believed that "all you need is...." Hmm. It was on the tip of my tongue. Anyway, the 90-minute romp should be fun for audiences of all ages, including children and teen-agers. (Athough the latter may ask why you didn't take 'em to see Blue Man Group or Stomp Out Loud instead.) (www.mirage.com) (PHOTO: Cirque du Soleil does more dancing - and less acrobatics (albeit more bungee-jumping) - than any other Cirque show in Love, a tuneful tapestry that not only Beatles lovers will love.)

2. Monty Python's Spamalot ( at Wynn Las Vegas) - Funnier and shorter than on Broadway, the brisk 90-minute one-act is full of wacky British humor and Las Vegas glitz. If your child is old enough to enjoy a Python film, he or she is old enough for the musical. Teen-agers, meanwhile, will love the Monty Python silliness and may even walk out quoting a few lines, sporting a new Olde British accent and exuding implicit thanks in your "general direction.".) (www.wynnlasvegas.com

3. Cirque du Soleil's Mystere (at Treasure Island) - Cirque's first long-running Vegas hit, which opened in 1994, remains its most family-oriented with a colorful imagination, cute-to-exotic animal characters and a lighthearted mood. Plus, if your budget is tight, Mystere tickets are cheaper than other Cirque shows - starting at about $65. Such a deal. (www.treasureisland.com)

(PHOTO: A colorful clowning character with his animal friend in Mystere')

(PHOTO: Two acrobats balance in Mystere')

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